Hosiery board and package



Jan. 7, 1964 J. c. BERRY HOSIERY BOARD AND PACKAGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Original Filed Nov. 12, 1959 Fla 1 J. C. BERRY HOSIERY BOARD AND PACKAGEJan. 7, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Nov. 12, 1959 United StatesPatent C) 3 Claims. (Cl. 2%46) The present invention relates to a meansfor boarding, packaging and displaying hosiery and relates moreparticularly to a size coordinated stocking supporting member suitablefor retaining a stocking or a pair of stockings thereon and forformulating a suitably sized hosiery display package.

The presentation of half-hose or stockings made with stretchable yarnsor nylon, generally referred to as stretch socks, has met withsubstantial commercial ac ceptance primarily since the mounting of theindividual or a pair of socks on an insert member, as more fully shownin my Patent No. 2,696,295 and in Patent No. 2,748,930, primarilybecause the stockings may be presented in a more appealable manner.Utilization of a folda-ble, non-breakable cardboard insert so as topartially tension the stretchable fabric has to a considerable extenteliminated some of the boarding operations customarily performed toremove wrinkles and creases in stretch hosiery. However, this manner ofpackaging and displaying hosiery has been limited considerably tostretchable hosiery wherein the size of the cardboard inserts have beenlimited to a minimum number of different sizes within the designatedranges for children, misses, boys and mens sizes.

Hosiery knit with non-elastic or non-stretchable yarns or nylon,generally referred to as size goods or hosiery, has not foundsignificant utilization in conjunction with a fold-able insert as theresulting hosiery packages vary considerably in overall length dependingupon the actual foot sizes or length in the foot portion of thestockings. These different foot lengths result in varied length hosierypackages.

It is conventional practice in the finishing operations for hosiery towet process. sized stockings and subject the wet stockings to a dryingoperation known as boarding. In the boarding operation, individualstockings must be placed manually on corresponding sized heated forms orboards individually for a drying period or interval in order to removeany wrinkles or creases which may occur in the stockings in order toimprove the general overall appearance. When dried, the individualstockings are removed manually from the heated forms, and, afterpairing, are packaged by applying suitable iden tification to thestockings in the form of packaging labels and bands. The resultingpackage is not only too limp and without sufiicient body to present anattractive display unit, and, generally, cannot be displayed readilyexcept in a horizontal position on a counter. -Repeated handling bycustomers will not only wrinkle the packaged stockings but willfrequently promote mismating of the stockings displayed.

Although sized stockings boarded on a heated form will conform to theform size, the actual foot volume, in some instances, may varyconsiderably, and in the relaxed condition may differ from the otherstockings boarded on the same forms due to inadvertence or lack ofaccurate controls in the knitting or other processing operation. Hosierycustomers are obligated to accept the size designations normallyappearing on the hosiery by means of a transfer or printed label on thehosiery package without having any further assurances that the stockingshave complied with length and volume specifications in the foot portionparticularly.

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Therefore, this invention contemplates the utilization of a foldablestocking insert which will present a controlled and coordinated stockingpackage that will present an overall dimension of preselected length forstockings having varying foot lengths.

This invention has for another objective the provision of asubstantially stifi foldable stocking insert having a controlled planesurface area dimension at least in the foot portion that is correlated,within limits, to the volume of the foot size for each particularstocking size.

Another objective of this invention is to provide a stocking insert thatwill readily indicate the quality of lit for the particular sizestocking that will be supported on the insert.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a foldablestocking insert of selective sizes which will correspond with sizedhosiery and which will support a single or a pair of stockings thereon,in a slightly tensione-d condition, to remove any wrinkles or creaseswhich may appear in the hosiery thereby reducing the cost of processingincident to boarding.

A further objective of this invention is the provision of a stockingsize coordinated foldable stocking insert board in which the varyingfoot length sizes for stockings to be supported on the individual boardsmay be accommodated by varying the length of the toe section of theboard from a predetermined position in the foot section of the stockinginsert board.

Yet another objective of this invention is to provide a size coordinatedfoldable stocking insert that will be suitable for displaying varioussizes within a compact area, including horizontal or vertical displays,and to present an attractive and pleasing appearance for the hosierywithin a semi-rigid package.

A still further objective of this invention is to provide a novelunitary hosiery package that provides assurances to the customer thatthe size and fit conditions conform to accepted hosiery standards.

For a further objective, this invention contemplates the presentation ofa novel package that may be displayed in suitable display cabinets forself-service without consuming substantial display area.

Other objectives and many of the attendant advantages of this novelstocking foldable insert and package will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

tF-IG. 1 illustrates two stocking-receiving foldable insert members, inflat extended positions, for different stocking foot lengths;

FIG. 2 is a flat plane view of a hosiery package in which a pair ofstockings are supported on a stockingreceiving insert member;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the hosiery package of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flat plane view of the package of FIGS. 2 and 3 including aninitial fold intermediate the foot portion;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hosiery-receiving envelope;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, including the foot portion of thepackage of FIG. 4 after it has been introduced into the envelope shownin FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the final folded hosiery package; and

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the hosiery package of FIG. 7.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there isillustrated, in extended form, two stockingreceiving insert members orboards A and B which are substantially identical to each other exceptfor the overall foot portion lengths. Board A, designated as It isshorter in the overall foot portion length than board B, designated as11, in order to receive correspondingly different foot length stockingsthereon. For simplification, a detailed description of board or insertmember will be sufiicient and the differences between boards 19 and 11will be noted hereinafter.

The insert member or board 10 is made preferably of cardboard,paperboard or other suitable sheet material that is relatively stiff orsemi-rigid with sufficient flexibility to be folded without fracturing,breaking or parting. The insert is preferably of sufficient weight andrigidly to support a stocking or pair of stockings thereon in a slightlytensioned condition, without folding or curling longitudinally ortransversely when a stocking or stockings are placed thereon. Acardboard having a thickness of approximately 0.020 to 0.025 has beenfound suitable for certain stockings, however, the thickness of theboard will vary depending upon the weight and the knitted constructionof the stockings to be supported thereon. The upper or ankle or legportion 12 is substantially rectangular, for a portion thereof, withsubstantially parallel front and rear edges 13 and 14. The upper section15 of the leg portion 12 converges to form a narrower section or garterportion 16. The garter section will support the garter portion of anelastic garter top sock in a more relaxed condition without undulyextending the elastic fabric. It will be readily apparent that thisparticular portion may vary considerably depending upon the characterand length of the leg portion and the upper edge 2% will terminate at apoint depending upon the type stocking or the garter length of thestocking. The rear edge 14 of the leg portion 12 forming the posteriorpart of the lower leg and the planter or rear edge 17 of the footportion 18 of the board will be in substantially a straight line as theleg portion 12 and the foot portion 18 are substantially collineatedabout the longitudinal axis of the form to facilitate the introductionof a stocking on the board. A heel 27 protrudes from the boardintermediate the foot and leg portions, however, in

some forms, this heel portion may be completely omitted or modified insome suitable manner. The anterior portion or front edge 13 of the lowerleg portion 12 is in substantial alignment with the dorsum or leadingedge 19 of the foot portion 18.

A score or fold line 21 extends transversely across the boardintermediate thereof, and in a preferred position, this fold line may bepositioned at approximately the heel location between the foot and legportions. It has been found desirable to form the transverse line eitherby t scoring or perforating the line at suitably spaced positions tofacilitate marking and folding the board in the same position.

The foot portion 18 of the board has a forward or toe section 22, whichis also integrally formed with the board, with the forward and rearedges 23 and 24, respectively, being continuations of the edges 13, 14,19 and 17, respectively, and in collinear relationship thereto. Theedges 23 and 24 converge to form a rounded terminal tip 25. The toesection 22 extends forwardly of the score or fold line 26 that extendstransversely across the board intermediate the foot portion thereof.

The longitudinal length of the toe or forward foot section 22 of theboard will vary in length depending upon the foot size of the stockingto be supported thereon. For the purpose of illustration only, andpresenting one type of board size, a stocking size 10 for men willmeasure 10 inches in length from the tip of the toe to a pointintermediate the heel. The board that will be utilized for thisparticular size stocking may have a score or fold line 21 spaced 10 /2inches from the tip 25 of the rounded toe perimeter with the second foldline 26 being 2 inches from the tip 25 thereby presenting a longitudinalreach of 8 inches between the fold lines 21 and 26. For supportingstockings having sizes 10%, ll,

Il /2, l2 and larger sizes, the longitudinal distance between the foldlines 21 and 26 will remain the same thereby permitting a uniformoverall hosiery package length regardless of the foot size. It is to beunderstood, however, that this would be applicable to mens hosiery. Forchildrens hosiery, the overall length of the package will vary withinthe category of stocking sizes, as will the overall package length forboys stockings. To accommodate the larger sizes, the longitudinaldistance between the fold line 26 will be greater and the sizes shorterthan size 10 will have the longitudinal distance from the fold line 26reduced. Accordingly, a size 10 /2 stocking will have length of the toesection from the score line 26 to the tip of 3 inches; for stocking size11, the distance from the score line will be 3 /2 inches; for size 11/2, the distance will be 4 inches.

The board B or 11, represents one for accommodating a stocking having alonger length than for board A or 10. The score line 30 intermediate thefoot portion is of board B is positioned in the same location as thefold line 26 in board A. The longitudinal distance between the scorelines 21 and 39 in board B will be the smie as the longitudinal distancebetween the score lines 21 and 26 in board A. However, the longitudinaldistance between the score lines 30 and the terminal tip of the toeportion 22 in board B will be longer than the longitudinal distancebetween the score line 26 and the terminal tip 25 of board A.

To more accurately control the volume of the stocking for the footportion, the board described above will have a width of 3 /2 inchesbetween the front and rear edges thereof. It will be readily apparentthat the board will vary depending upon the thickness or denier of theyarns, the thickness of the board, the needle cylinder size from whichthe fabric was knit, and these factors must be considered to determinethe plane area of the board.

To formulate the hosiery package, a sock corresponding in size to theboard size may be placed on the board by one of the devices nowconventionally in use for supporting the cardboard inscrt, such as thatshown in Patent No. 2,852,171. As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of socks 33 issupported on the single insert with one of the garter tops 34 of theinner sock extending above the other garter portion 35 of the outersock. Although FIGS. 2 and 3 present a pair of socks on a single board,it is contemplated that a single sock may be supported on a singleboard. Also, it is contemplated that one sock may be placed on a singleboard and the other sock of a pair laid-in contiguous with the board butnot surrounding the board or another sock.

FIG. 4 illustrates the package formed in FIGS. 2 and 3 with the toesection 22 folded about the score line 26 thereby forming the first foldof the hosiery package. The package formed, as shown in FIG. 4, mayagain be folded along the score line 21 thereby forming a hosierypackage having an overall length substantially corresponding to thelongitudinal distance between the score lines 21 and 26. In the eventhosiery package having a longer toe section 22 is employed, the toe tip25 will extend closer to the fold line 21 but the overall length of thepackage will still be determined by the longitudinal distance betweenthe score lines 21 and 26. Upon folding the package along the scorelines 21 and 26, suitable labels, bands or other hosiery packagingmaterials may be employed as desired by the individual hosierymanufacturer thereby producing a uniform length package in which the toeportion is folded between the outer foot portion and the leg portion ofthe package. That is, the toe section 22 will lie between the footportion 18 and the leg portion 12.

A preferred form of hosiery packing is illustrated in FIG. 5 in the formof an envelope 40 formed of a suitable paper having the requisiteidentifying designations thereon, including whatever trademark andhosiery specification may be required. The envelope is provided withlaterally extending tabs 41 and 42 to which have been applied a suitableadhesive 43. The envelope is provided with a toe receiving pocket 44 forreceiving the folded foot portion as shown in FIG. 4 therein. The end ofthe envelope opposite from the tabs 41 and 42 is provided with a closureflap 45 in which the medial portion 4 6 forms a rider band that has beenremoved from the closure flap 45. As shown in FIG. 6, the folded footportion is introduced into the open envelope 40 with the flaps 4'1 and44 extending intermediate the length of the hosiery package and boardwith the folded toe portion being seated in the bottom of the envelope.

After introduction of the folded foot sections into the envelope 40, theleg portion '12 is folded over the inside portion of the envelopepartially covering the closure flap 45 with the reduced garter portionof the board with the stockings thereon. The rider flap 46, having asuitable adhesive 47 thereon, is then adhered to the top portion of thepackage. The flap strip 48 on which the flaps 41 and 42 extend laterallytherefrom, is folded over the lower leg portion and the flaps 41 and 42are turned to adhere to the front face 49 of the envelope 40. As shownin FIG. 8, the face 49 of the envelope will have the tabs 41 and 42adhered thereto and the rider label 46 may be cut out so as to behingedly connected along the line 50. It has been found desirable toapply a separate rider 51 in some instances so as to facilitate theprinting of the rider and the envelope separately. In some instances,the rider 46 may be formed integrally, as shown, but a separate gu-mme-drider 51 may also be applied over the rider flap 46.

As will be readily apparent, the overall length of the package formedregardless of the foot size or of the stockings will he the same therebypresenting a standard uniform length and width package for display.Suitable transparent covering (not shown) such as cellophane may beapplied over the entire package, as desired.

The envelope 40, or a modification thereof, may be utilized to envelopthe foot portion of the sock covered insert for the single foldinsert-type package formed as disclosed in my Patent No. 2,69 6,295whether for a single sock supported on a board or a pair of sockssupported on a single board or a single sock mounted on a board with amating sock laid-in without being supported on the board. Whether thesingle fold or double fold sock supporting insert is employed, the footcovering envelope or wrapping may be provided with suitable means forretaining the hosiery package in folded condition.

This application is a division of co-pending application Serial No.852,500 filed November 12, 1959.

Obviously, many modifications and variations may be made to theconfiguration of the board as well as the location of the fold line orlines and the configuration of the envelope may be modified withoutdeparting from the purpose and spirit of this invention. Also, thedesign of the hosiery-receiving envelope may be modified to receive anyselective portion or portions of the foot portion of the package andsuch variations are contemplated Within the scope of the appendedclaims.

6 What is claimed is: 1. A folded rectangularly-shaped sock packagecomprising a substantially stilf folded cardboard sock insert havingcollineated leg, foot and toe portions, said insert having at least twospaced-apart transversely extending fold indicia dividing the insertinto leg, foot and toe portions, said foot and leg portions beingsubstantially equal in longitudinal length, a first sock enveloping theinsert and supported thereon in a slightly tensioned condition on theleg, foot and toe portions of the insert and a second mating sockenveloping said first sock, and a rectangular envelope having an opensock-covered insert receiving end with integral sock encircling flapsadjacent to said end covering the foot and toe portions in foldedcondition, said envelope flaps securing the sock package in foldedcondition adjacent to the fold indicium between the foot and legportions of the insert exposing said second sock enveloping the insertleg portion.

2. A partially wrapped folded rectangularly-shaped sock packagecomprising an integral substantially stiff folded sock insert having apair of transversely extending fold indicia forming, in unfoldedcondition, collineated leg, foot and toe portions, a first sockenveloping the insert and supported on the leg, foot and toe portionsthereof on said insert in a slightly tensioned condition throughout thesock, a second mating sock enveloping said first insert enveloping sock,and an envelope covering the sock covered foot and toe portions of saidfolded insert over the toe and foot portions, and means on said envelopesecuring the leg portion with socks thereon in overlapping relation withthe folded and enveloped foot and toe portions.

3. A partially wrapped rectangularly-shaped sock package comprising anintegral substantially stiff folded sock insert having, in unfoldedcondition, collineated leg, foot and toe portions, and forming, infolded condition, overlapping sections formed by said leg, foot and toeportions, a first sock enveloping said insert in slightly tensionedcondition over the leg, foot and toe portions of said insert, and asecond mating sock enveloping said first sock, said insert having a pairof parallel spaced-apart transverse fold indicia forming said insertleg, foot and toe portions with said leg and foot portions beingsubstantially of the same longitudinal length, .and a wrapper envelopingthe folded and sock covered foot and toe portions of the insert, saidwrapper having means securing the envelope on the sock covered insertand maintaining the sock covered leg portion of the insert inoverlapping folded condition on the folded sock covered foot and legportions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,696,295 Berry Dec. 7, 1954 2,742,149 Berry Apr. 17, 1956 2,748,930Power June 5, 1956 2,810,477 Mclnnes Oct. 22, 1957 2,904,171 Getaz Sept.15, 1959 2,917,163 Baker Dec. 15, 1959

1. A FOLDED RECTANGULARLY-SHAPED SOCK PACKAGE COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLYSTIFF FOLDED CARDBOARD SOCK INSERT HAVING COLLINEATED LEG, FOOT AND TOEPORTIONS, SAID INSERT HAVING AT LEAST TWO SPACED-APART TRANSVERSELYEXTENDING FOLD INDICIA DIVIDING THE INSERT INTO LEG, FOOT AND TOEPORTIONS, SAID FOOT AND LEG PORTIONS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL INLONGITUDINAL LENGTH, A FIRST SOCK ENVELOPING THE INSERT AND SUPPORTEDTHEREON IN A SLIGHTLY TENSIONED CONDITION ON THE LEG, FOOT AND TOEPORTIONS OF THE INSERT AND A SECOND MATING SOCK ENVELOPING SAID FIRSTSOCK, AND A RECTANGULAR ENVELOPE HAVING AN OPEN SOCK-COVERED INSERTRECEIVING END WITH INTEGRAL SOCK ENCIRCLING FLAPS ADJACENT TO SAID ENDCOVERING THE FOOT AND TOE PORTIONS IN FOLDED CONDITION, SAID ENVELOPEFLAPS SECURING THE SOCK PACKAGE IN FOLDED CONDITION ADJACENT TO THE FOLDINDICIUM BETWEEN THE FOOT AND LEG PORTIONS OF THE INSERT EXPOSING SAIDSECOND SOCK ENVELOPING THE INSERT LEG PORTION.